Portsmouth 2 - 0 Rochdale

Photo: Brad Journeaux

Fratton Park - Portsmouth v Rochdale

Ten man Rochdale went down to an opening day defeat against Portsmouth as prolific striker Brett Pitman scored twice after Dale’s Keith Keane was shown a straight red card after he tripped Conor Chaplin as the young striker went through on goal.

Despite the numerical advantage, Dale more than held their own to send the sides in goalless at the break.

Pitman fired a low shot inside the far post inside the opening minute of the second period as Dale looked up against it but again they didn’t just sit back.

The numbers were evened up in the 81st minute when Jamal Lowe was sent for an early bath after a crude high challenge on Dale’s Jamie Allen.

With Dale pressing, Portsmouth sealed the win in stoppage time with a right wing cross headed in by the unmarked Pitman.

With six new signings this summer, Dale manager Keith Hill opted to give debuts to Kgosi Nthle (pronounced Cosy N’Claire) and Reece Brown. Bradden Inman, Jordan Williams and Matty Done were on the bench.

Portsmouth, promoted as champions from League Two last season and playing in front of a sell out 18,000 crowd, started nervously as Dale took the game to the former Premier League side.

Andy Cannon had the first sight of goal but his powerful drive was always rising over the bar.

The turning point in the game came midway through the first half when Keane was sent off. A quick breakaway by Chaplin saw Keane struggling to keep pace and when the two players came together, Chaplin was sent tumbling just outside the area. Referee Lee Probert took a few seconds to make up his mind and brandished a straight red card to the Rochdale defender.

Despite the sending off, Dale kept Portsmouth at arms length.

With the Keith Hill team talk still fresh in their minds, the Rochdale players will have wanted to feel their way into the second half and maintain the clean sheet but that only lasted 60 seconds as Portsmouth broke the deadlock. Two poor challenges from Brown and Cannon allowed Pitman a sight at goal and despite his first effort being well blocked by Jim McNulty, he picked the far corner to fire the ball into.

Dale showed great fighting spirit despite losing the goal and pressed for an equaliser as they introduced Matty Done.

Ian Henderson was well picked out by Rathbone but the Dale captain’s shot was bravely blocked by Burgess.

Josh Lillis was spared his blushes when he raced out of his area to sweep up a loose ball only to be tackled - Lowe’s looping shot from distance floating wide of the target with the goal gaping.

Referee Lee Probert evened up the numbers when he showed no hesitation in producing the red card for the second time after Lowe was late and extremely high on Dale’s Jamie Allen. The midfielder managed to carry on but left Fratton Park after the game in visible pain.

Dale pushed for an equaliser and came close through Reece Brown’s powerful 25 yard freekick which was almost too hot to handle for McGee; the stopper gathering at the second attempt.

With Dale pushing, it was no surprise they left gaps at the back and when a breakaway down the right by Evans created space for a cross, the midfielder picked out Pitman unmarked on the penalty spot who thumped a header into the top corner to secure the win.

There will be plenty of positives for Keith Hill to take from the game as he begins to prepare his side to face League Two Mansfield at Field Mill in the EFL Cup on Tuesday.

Portsmouth: McGee, Evans, Burgess, Whatmough, Holmes-Dennis (Lowe 39), Talbot, Baker, Rose, Bennett, Pitman (c), Chaplin (Naismith 71).

Rochdale: Lillis, Brown, Keane, McNulty, Nthle, Cannon (Davies 75), Camps (Rafferty 60), Allen, Rathbone, Andrew (Done 59), Henderson (c).
Subs: (not used) Collis, Canavan, Williams, Inman.

Referee: Mr L Probert
Assistants: Mr S Long and Mr A Waters
Fourth Official: Mr C Hicks

Attendance: 18,009 (471 from Rochdale)